Early surgical correction of buried penis

Introduction: Buried penis is a developmental condition characterized by normal size penis that appears smaller or hidden by suprapubic fat. Many complications are associated with buried penis, including poor cosmoses, poor hygiene, difficult accessibility, and recurrent balanitis. Urinary tract infection, negative feeling by parents and patients. Different surgical techniques have been described to correct the condition.Aim: The aim of this study was to present our result of early surgical correction of buried penis.Results: A total of 94 patients underwent correction of buried penis. 80 (85%) patients were less than 2 years of age. The mean follow-up was 8 months, ranging from 6 to 22 months. The most common types of anomaly were buried penis [65 (59.5%)], concealed penis [21 (22.3%)], and trapped penis [eight (8.5%)]. The early postoperative complications were edema [10 (10.6%)], bleeding [four (4.2%)], excess inner prepuce [three (3.1%)], redundant skin [two (2.1%)], and infection [one (1.06%)]. The late postoperative complications were partial recurrence in 6.3%. In 63.8% the skin was adequate and there was no need for additional skin flap; in 27.6% we created payers flap and in 8.5% we used the long inner prepuce.Conclusion: Early surgical correction of buried penis is safe and is associated with minimal complications.Keywords: buired penis, circumcision, trapped peni

Protective Effects of Flavone from Tamarix aphylla against CCl4-Induced Liver Injury in Mice Mediated by Suppression of Oxidative Stress, Apoptosis and Angiogenesis

The current study aimed to investigate, for the first time, the beneficial effects of 3,5-dihydroxy-4′,7-dimethoxyflavone isolated from Tamarix aphylla L. against liver injury in mice. Liver injury was induced by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) at a dose of 0.4 mL/kg mixed in olive oil at ratio (1:4) twice a week for 6 consecutive weeks. The administration of CCl4 caused significant histopathological changes in liver tissues while the pre-treatment with the flavone at dose of 10 and 25 mg/kg ameliorated the observed liver damages. Also, it markedly reduced hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) level as well as increased the activities of liver superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (Gpx) compared with their recorded levels in CCl4 model group. Moreover, the immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated the enhancement in the protein level of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) while the protein levels of cysteine-aspartic acid protease-3 (caspase-3), Bcl-2-associated x protein (Bax), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and CD31 were suppressed following the flavone treatement. These results suggest that the flavone can inhibit liver injury induced in mice owning to its impact on the oxidation, apoptotic and angiogenesis mechanisms. Further pharmacological investigations are essential to determine the effectiveness of the flavone in human

Melittin Exerts Beneficial Effects on Paraquat-Induced Lung Injuries in Mice by Modifying Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis

Melittin (MEL) is a 26-amino acid peptide with numerous biological activities. Paraquat (PQ) is one of the most widely used herbicides, although it is extremely toxic to humans. To date, PQ poisoning has no effective treatment, and therefore the current study aimed to assess for the first time the possible effects of MEL on PQ-induced lung injuries in mice. Mice received a single intraperitoneal (IP) injection of PQ (30 mg/kg), followed by IP treatment with MEL (0.1 and 0.5 mg/kg) twice per week for four consecutive weeks. Histological alterations, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in the lungs were studied. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining indicated that MEL markedly reduced lung injuries induced by PQ. Furthermore, treatment with MEL increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, and decreased malonaldehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels in lung tissue homogenates. Moreover, immunohistochemical staining showed that B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and survivin expressions were upregulated after MEL treatment, while Ki-67 expression was downregulated. The high dose of MEL was more effective than the low dose in all experiments. In summary, MEL efficiently reduced PQ-induced lung injuries in mice. Specific pharmacological examinations are required to determine the effectiveness of MEL in cases of human PQ poisoning

Synthesis, Characterization, and In Vivo Anti-Cancer Activity of New Metal Complexes Derived from Isatin-N(4)antipyrinethiosemicarbazone Ligand Against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma Cells

The current study aimed to synthesize new metal coordination complexes with potential biomedical applications. Metal complexes were prepared via the reaction of isatin-N(4)anti- pyrinethiosemicarbazone ligand 1 with Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II), Zn(II), and Fe(III) ions. The obtained metal complexes 2–12 were characterized using elemental, spectral (1H-NMR, EPR, Mass, IR, UV-Vis) and thermal (TGA) techniques, as well as magnetic moment and molar conductance measurements. In addition, their geometries were studied using EPR and UV–Vis spectroscopy. To evaluate the in vivo anti-cancer activities of these complexes, the ligand 1 and its metal complexes 2, 7 and 9 were tested against solid tumors. The solid tumors were induced by subcutaneous (SC) injection of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells in mice. The impact of the selected complexes on the reduction of tumor volume was determined. Also, the expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and cysteine aspartyl-specific protease-7 (caspase-7) in tumor and liver tissues of mice bearing EAC tumor were determined. Moreover, their effects on alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), albumin, and glucose levels were measured. The results revealed that the tested compounds, especially complex 9, reduced tumor volume, inhibited the expression of VEGF, and induced the expression of caspase-7. Additionally, they restored the levels of ALT, AST, albumin, and glucose close to their normal levels. Taken together, our newly synthesized metal complexes are promising anti-cancer agents against solid tumors induced by EAC cells as supported by the inhibition of VEGF and induction of caspase-7

Fabrication of photo-electrochemical biosensors for ultrasensitive screening of mono-bioactive molecules: the effect of geometrical structures and crystal surfaces

The controlled design of biosensors based on the photo-electrochemical technique with high selectivity, sensitivity, and rapid response for monitoring of mono-bioactive molecules, particularly dopamine (DA) levels in neuronal cells is highly necessary for clinical diagnosis. Hierarchical carbon-, nitrogen-doped (CN) nickel oxide spear thistle (ST) flowers associated in single-heads (S), and symmetric and asymmetric-double heads (D and A, respectively) that are tightly connected through a micrometric dipole-like rod or trunk were fabricated by using a simple synthetic protocol. The CN-ST flower heads were decorated with dense nano-tubular like hedgehog needle skins in vertical alignments. These designated architectures are key features for creating biosensor surface electrodes for photo-electrochemical, ultrasensitive screening of mono-bioactive molecules. The exceptional electrode designs produced numerous catalytically active sites, large surface area, and high electron-transfer mobility. The active coating of carbon–nitrogen nanospheres significantly enhanced the photo-electrocatalytic activity of the prepared biosensor electrodes and prevented leakage of photocatalytic activity under long-term exposure to irradiation. Among all photo-electrochemical assays, the biosensors showed significant sensitivity and selectivity for DA in the presence of interfering molecules such as ascorbic acid (AA), uric acid (UA), adrenaline (A), and noradrenaline (NA). The photo-electrochemical property of the CN-SST-{110} crystal surface electrode showed significant sensing performance for DA in terms of unimpeded diffusion pathways, a wide concentration-detection range, and a low detection limit, even in the presence of potentially interfering molecules compared with other electrode-modified CN-DST-{111} and CN-AST-{101} crystal surfaces. Furthermore, the CN-SST photo-biosensor electrode shows potential in the selective and sensitive determination of DA in real samples, such as human serum and secreted DA from living cells. This finding indicates that the hierarchical ST biosensor may enable analytical discrimination and monitoring of DA and can be employed for clinical diagnosis application

What Differentiates Dielectric Oxides and Solid Electrolytes on the Pathway toward More Efficient Energy Storage?

Taking advantage of electrode thicknesses well beyond conventional dimensions allowed us to follow the surface plasmonic THz frequency phenomenon with vacuum wavelengths of 100 μm to 1 mm, only to scrutinize them within millimeters-thicknesses insulators. Here, we analyze an Al/insulator/Cu cell in which the metal electrodes-collectors were separated by a gap that was alternatively filled by SiO2, MgO, Li2O, Na3Zr2Si2PO12–NASICON, Li1.5Al0.5Ge1.5(PO4)3–LAGP, and Li2.99Ba0.005ClO–Li+ glass. A comparison was drawn using experimental surface chemical potentials, cyclic voltammetry (I-V plots), impedance spectroscopy, and theoretical approaches such as structure optimization, simulation of the electronic band structures, and work functions. The analysis reveals an unexpected common emergency from the cell’s materials to align their surface chemical potential, even in operando when set to discharge under an external resistor of 1842 Ω.cminsulator. A very high capability of the metal electrodes to vary their surface chemical potentials and specific behavior among dielectric oxides and solid electrolytes was identified. Whereas LAGP and Li2O behaved as p-type semiconductors below 40 °C at OCV and while set to discharge with a resistor in agreement with the Li+ diffusion direction, NASICON behaved as a quasi n-type semiconductor at OCV, as MgO, and as a quasi p-type semiconductor while set to discharge. The capacity to behave as a p-type semiconductor may be related to the ionic conductivity of the mobile ion. The ferroelectric behavior of Li2.99Ba0.005ClO has shown surface plasmon polariton (SPP) waves in the form of surface propagating solitons, as in complex phenomena, as well as electrodes’ surface chemical potentials inversion capabilities (i.e., χ (Al) − χ (Cu) > 0 to χ (Al) − χ (Cu) vacuum = 0 eV) and self-charge (ΔVcell ≥ +0.04 V under a 1842 Ω.cminsulator resistor). The multivalent 5.5 mm thick layer cell filled with Li2.99Ba0.005ClO was the only one to display a potential bulk difference of 1.1 V. The lessons learned in this work may pave the way to understanding and designing more efficient energy harvesting and storage devices

New metal complexes derived from diacetylmonoxime-n(4)antipyrinylthiosemicarbazone: Synthesis, characterization and evaluation of antitumor activity against Ehrlich solid tumors induced in mice

The present study aimed to synthesize new metal complexes of diacetylmonoxime-N(4)antipyrinylthiosemicarbazone ligand and evaluate their antitumor activity. New complexes with ferric, cobalt, nickel and copper ions were prepared. Elemental, 1H Nuclear magnetic resonance, Mass spectroscopy, Electron paramagnetic resonance, Fourier Transform InfraredSpectroscopy, Ultraviolet–visible and thermal gravimetricanalysis were used to characterize the obtained complexes 1–11. An in vivo tumor model was established to investigate the effect of the naked ligand and its metal complexes 2, 5 and 8. Ehrlich ascites carcinoma solid tumor was induced in mice through subcutaneous inoculation of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells. The volumes of the formed solid tumors, the alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, albumin concentration in the serum, as well as the levels of Ki67 and p53 proteins in tumor and liver tissues were detected. All the tested complexes, especially complex 5, possessed proliferative inhibition manifested as the reduction of the tumor volume, Alanine aminotransferase & Aspartate aminotransferase activity, and the level of the Ki67 protein. Additionally, they restored the albumin concentration to normal levels as well increased the level of pro-apoptotic p53 protein. In conclusion, the antitumor activity of the newly synthesized metal complexes against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma solid tumors was proved to be mediated by the inhibition of Ki67 and induction of p53 proteins

Diosmin Attenuates Methotrexate-Induced Hepatic, Renal, and Cardiac Injury: A Biochemical and Histopathological Study in Mice

The current study was designed to investigate the beneficial role of diosmin, a biologically active flavonoid, against methotrexate- (MTX-) induced hepatic, renal, and cardiac injuries in mice. Male Swiss albino mice received a single intraperitoneal injection of MTX (at 20 mg/kg, body weight) either alone or in combination with oral diosmin (at 50 or 100 mg/kg body weight, for 10 days). Serum was used to evaluate tissue injury markers, while hepatic, renal, and cardiac tissue samples were obtained for determination of antioxidant activity as well as histopathological examination. Diosmin treatment ameliorated the MTX-induced elevation of serum alkaline phosphatase, aminotransferases, urea, creatinine, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatine kinases as well as plasma proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1-beta, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha). Additionally, both diosmin doses significantly reduced tissue levels of malondialdehyde and nitric oxide and increased those of glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase, compared to the MTX-intoxicated group. Histopathological examination showed that diosmin significantly minimized the MTX-induced histological alterations and nearly restored the normal architecture of hepatic, renal, and cardiac tissues. Based on these findings, diosmin may be a promising agent for protection against MTX-induced cytotoxicity in patients with cancer and autoimmune diseases